Ben/Trent,

I have, what initially seemed like a simple requirement, to create a mail merge using multiple pdf documents per client that are then merged into a single file for printing. However after a week and a half of reviewing various .Net pdf tools I’ve found that they are expensive, have restrictive licensing and distribution policies, and few are 100% managed code. The cost goes up when you need to merge barcodes.

Another approach I considered is to convert the pdfs to Word format and use tools that can use the Word doc as a template for a mail merge. I found a few 100% managed code tools but they either lack support for merging of barcodes or do not fully support all .docx layouts. I also considered using MS office automation but from what I’ve read there are potential issues with that and I would rather not be dependent on MS word and deal with updates to that.

The last option I can think of is to reproduce the pdfs in a .Net reporting tool which other than the tedious process of creating the report layouts would seem to be the simplest solution from a programming perspective.

I’m assuming that you guys must have to deal with multiple insurance and other forms in your medical application and I’m wondering how you’ve handled it.

-Larry
  

Hi Larry,

Like Olivier suggested, a reporting tool may be what you need here.  I use DevExpress and they do have a control the PDF Viewer that allows you to do some manipulation, I am not sure if it supports merging PDF files.

https://www.devexpress.com/Products/NET/Controls/WinForms/PDF-Viewer/

Edhy Rijo

Yep, I also use the report engine way, with the Perpetuum Soft tool. It would be just a matter of generating a report with whatever information you need, use the engine to export it to PDF or any other supported format. From there, you could print it, attach it to an e-mail, upload it somewhere, as needed.